Can opener and sealer



Dec. 18, 1951 L 1 MGLEAN 2,578,979

cAN OPENER AND SEALER Filed oct. 14, 1949 2 Simms-.SHEET 1 4 l *ma 2 By I Allorney Dec. 18, 195] MCLEAN 2,578,979

CAN OPENER ND SEALER Filed OCL. 14, 1949 2 SHEETS--SHEET 2 Patented Dec. 18, 1951 l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Lawrence L. McLean, Butte, Mont.

Application October 14, 1949, Serial No. 121,422

The' present invention relates to a can opener and sealer' and it consists in the combinations, 'constructions and arrangementsof parts herein described and claimed.

Generally there is provided a can opener and sealer comprising a cover member adapted to t over the upper end of a can and having a pair of transversely extending parallel guide members upwardly extending therefrom. Between the guide members and adjacent each end of the cover is an opening. A bar is provided with a pair of dependent projections one adjacent either end thereof and the bar is adapted to be received between the guide members. Projecting' downwardly from each of the dependant portions of the bar is a penetrating member which s surrounded by a gasket of ilexible material. The penetrating members are adapted to be inserted through the. openings through the cover portion. The bar has centrally and loosely mounted therein a vertical pin which is adapted to be snugly received in the opening centrally provide-d in the cover. Pressure upon the bar will cause the penetrating members to puncture the can upon which the device is used and the gaskets act to seal the contents of the can against insects, dirt and the like when the can is not in use.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a device of the character set forth which is simple in construction, inexpensivev to manufacture and yet efficient and effective in use.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the character set forth having novel means for opening fluid-containing cans.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel guide pin forming a part of the invention.

Another object of the invention is the provision of novel sealing means forming a part of the invention.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top plan View of an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Figure l,

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken along line 3--3 of Figure l, f

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional View taken along line 4 4 of Figure 2, y

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along l' 5-5 of Figure 2,

1 Claim. (Cl. Sil-6.1)

Figure 6 is a bottom plan View of the device shown in Figure 1,

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 2 but show'- ing the device immediately prior to its penetration into a can,

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8 8 of Figure 7,

Figure 9 is a fragmentary plan View of a cover forming a part of the invention, and

Figure 10 is a bottom plan View of a bar forming a part of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown therein a can opener and sealer comprising a circular -cover I0 having a dependant flange I I which is adapted to snugly 't the sides of a can I2. Integrally formed with and upwardly extending from the cover I0 is a pair of parallel transverse guide members I3 between which and adjacent the outer ends thereof is provided a pair of openings I4. A relatively small opening I5 is centrally provided in the cover I0 and lies between the guide members I3.

A punch bar I6 of generally rectangular shape when viewed from above, is adapted to be received between the guide members I 3 and has integrally formed therewith adjacent each of its ends a dependent portion I'l in each of which is embedded a penetrating member I8 surrounding which and afxed to the lower face of the portion I1 in each case is a gasket I9 formed of rubber or other resilient material. Y

A shoulder 20 is formed in each case between the portion I1 and the outer end adjacent thereto of the bar I6. Aixed to the underside of the cover I0 and immediately below the opening I5 is a spacing ring 2 I.

Centrally mounted in the bar I6 is a vertically extending pin 22 having an integrally formed head 23 at its upper end. The pin 22 is loosely positioned in an opening 24 provided therefor and its lower end is adapted to be received in the opening I5 and to be held therein by frictional engagement with the sides thereof.

In operation, it will be apparent that when it is desired to open a can I2, that the cover I0 is first placed thereon with its flange I I enveloping the sides of the can. Thereupon the bar I6 is placed between the guides I3 and the pin 22 pressed downwardly by means of the head 23 to engage within the opening I 5, whereupon the bar I6 may be successively administered a sharp blow at either end thereof to cause the successive penetration of the members I3 into the top of the can I2. When the members I8 are pressed downwardly into the top of the can, the gaskets 3 I9 will come into contact therewith to effectively seal the contents of the can from insects, dirt and the like. It will be seen, however, th-at the device may easily be removed so that the contents of the can may be dispensed therefrom and that thereafter the device may be again set in position, the gaskets I9 meantime continuing to provide an eiective sealing means therefor.

While but one form of the invention has been shown and described herein, it willbe readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many minor modifications may be made herein without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A device of the character described comprising a cover having a pair of diametrically opposed openings each adjacent the periphery thereof and a centrally locatedrelatively small opening, said cover having an integrally formed dependent flange for receiving the upper end of a can therein, a punch bar having a dependent portion adjacent each end thereof, and each receivable 4 in an opening in the cover, a penetrating member downwardly extending from each of the dependent portions, a vertically movable pin centrally disposed in said bar and frictionally and removably receivable in the relatively small opening in said cover, a resilient gasket affixed to the lower end of each of the dependent portions and surrounding its associated penetrating member, and a pair ofupwardly extending parallel guide members `formedgin the :upper side of said cover and slidabl'y receiving said punch bar.

LAWRENCE L. MCLEAN.

y REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the Ele lof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENT Bye May 22, 1945 

